Two zones

The previous sections demonstrated how to run a simulation and generate a model, focusing on a simple one-zone free-float building. This tutorial will guide you through simulating a two-zone building. A similar modeling approach can be applied to more complex multi-zone buildings.

Input configuration file

The described building configuration indicates a structure with two distinct spaces: a smaller room (SPACE:001) and a larger room (SPACE:002). Both spaces utilize walls constructed with a combination of three different materials that have moderate thermal properties. The building features external walls and floors that are also constructed from the same materials, indicating a cohesive thermal envelope.

Windows in both spaces are specified with a dual-glazing system that includes a layer of gas (air) between two glass panes, enhancing insulation. The building has specific dimensions, with SPACE:001 having a floor area of 80 square meters and SPACE:002 a larger area of 120 square meters, suggesting it is designed for residential or light commercial use.

Overall, the building appears to be energy-efficient, leveraging materials that provide decent thermal resistance and effective glazing to minimize heat loss while allowing natural light. The layout and materials suggest a practical design optimized for comfort and energy performance.

material:
  - id: MATERIAL:001
    thermal_conductivity: 0.045
    density: 2100.0
    specific_heat_capacity: 900.0
  - id: MATERIAL:002
    thermal_conductivity: 0.04
    density: 1950.0
    specific_heat_capacity: 950.0
  - id: MATERIAL:003
    thermal_conductivity: 0.038
    density: 2050.0
    specific_heat_capacity: 920.0

constructions:
  - id: CONSTRUCTION:001
    layers:
      - material: MATERIAL:001
        thickness: 0.12
      - material: MATERIAL:002
        thickness: 0.08
      - material: MATERIAL:003
        thickness: 0.1

glass_material:
  - density: 2500.0
    id: GLASS:001
    longwave_emissivity: 0.82
    shortwave_emissivity: 0.65
    specific_heat_capacity: 860.0
    thermal_conductivity: 1.1

gas:
  - density: 1.18
    id: AIR:001
    longwave_emissivity: 0.0
    shortwave_emissivity: 0.0
    specific_heat_capacity: 1005.0
    thermal_conductivity: 0.026

glazings:
  - id: INS2AR2020:001
    layers:
      - glass: GLASS:001
        thickness: 0.005
      - gas: AIR:001
        thickness: 0.014
      - glass: GLASS:001
        thickness: 0.005

spaces:
  - parameters:
      floor_area: 80.0  # Smaller room
      average_room_height: 2.5
    id: SPACE:001
    external_boundaries:
      external_walls:
        - surface: 90.0
          azimuth: 180.0
          tilt: wall
          construction: CONSTRUCTION:001
        - surface: 70.0
          azimuth: 90.0
          tilt: wall
          construction: CONSTRUCTION:001
        - surface: 160.0
          azimuth: 270.0
          tilt: wall
          construction: CONSTRUCTION:001
      floor_on_grounds:
        - surface: 80.0
          construction: CONSTRUCTION:001
      windows:
        - surface: 1.5
          azimuth: 180.0
          tilt: wall
          construction: INS2AR2020:001
          width: 1.5
          height: 1.0

  - parameters:
      floor_area: 120.0  # Larger room with different shape
      average_room_height: 2.7
    id: SPACE:002
    external_boundaries:
      external_walls:
        - surface: 120.0
          azimuth: 180.0
          tilt: wall
          construction: CONSTRUCTION:001
        - surface: 100.0
          azimuth: 90.0
          tilt: wall
          construction: CONSTRUCTION:001
        - surface: 220.0
          azimuth: 0.0
          tilt: wall
          construction: CONSTRUCTION:001
      floor_on_grounds:
        - surface: 120.0
          construction: CONSTRUCTION:001
      windows:
        - surface: 2.0
          azimuth: 180.0
          tilt: wall
          construction: INS2AR2020:001
          width: 2.0
          height: 1.2

internal_walls:
  - space_1: SPACE:002
    space_2: SPACE:001
    construction: CONSTRUCTION:001
    surface: 18.0

Code

This code snippet demonstrates how to simulate a two-zone building using Trano, which is similar to simulating a one-zone building. The primary difference is in the structure of the configuration file. Additionally, the library name "buildings" is utilized here.

By default, Trano employs the Buildings library for simulation. In the next tutorial, we will explore how to use alternative libraries, including the IDEAS library.

Test tutorials

    from trano.main import simulate_model
    from trano.simulate.simulate import SimulationLibraryOptions

    simulate_model(
        "./two_zones.yaml",
        SimulationLibraryOptions(
            start_time=0,
            end_time=2 * 3600 * 24 * 7,
            tolerance=1e-4,
            library_name="Buildings",
        ),
    )

Code Snippet Explanation

The code imports necessary functions and classes to simulate a model defined in a YAML file using specified simulation options.

General Description and Parameters

Function: simulate_model
Parameters:
YAML File Path: "./two_zones.yaml"
- Path to the model configuration file in YAML format.
SimulationLibraryOptions: An object containing simulation parameters.
- start_time: 0
- Initial time for the simulation (in seconds).
- end_time: 2 * 3600 * 24 * 7
- Final time for the simulation, calculated as 2 weeks in seconds.
- tolerance: 1e-4
- Numerical tolerance for the simulation.
- library_name: "Buildings"
- Specifies the library used for the simulation, in this case, assumed to be related to building modeling.

Outputs

The report below is generated by Trano after simulating the two-zone building.

Spaces

External Boundaries Table

hRoo	AFlo	linearizeRadiation	m_flow_nominal	mSenFac	T_start	volume
2.5	80.0	true	0.01	1.0	294.15	200.0

gain	k	occupancy	name
[40; 75; 40]	1/7/3	3600*{9, 17}	occupancy_1

External Boundaries Table

Name	Azimuth	Construction Name	Surface	Tilt
externalwall_0	180.0	construction_001	90.0	wall
externalwall_1	90.0	construction_001	70.0	wall
externalwall_2	270.0	construction_001	160.0	wall
window_0	180.0	ins2ar2020_001	1.5	wall
flooronground_0	90.0	construction_001	80.0	floor
internal_space_002_space_001_construction	10.0	construction_001	18.0	wall

hRoo	AFlo	linearizeRadiation	m_flow_nominal	mSenFac	T_start	volume
2.7	120.0	true	0.01	1.0	294.15	324.0

gain	k	occupancy	name
[40; 75; 40]	1/7/3	3600*{9, 17}	occupancy_2

Construction

Layer Information Table

Name	Azimuth	Construction Name	Surface	Tilt
externalwall_3	180.0	construction_001	120.0	wall
externalwall_4	90.0	construction_001	100.0	wall
externalwall_5	0.0	construction_001	220.0	wall
window_1	180.0	ins2ar2020_001	2.0	wall
flooronground_1	90.0	construction_001	120.0	floor
internal_space_002_space_001_construction	10.0	construction_001	18.0	wall

Layers for ins2ar2020_001
Name	c	epsLw	epsSw	k	rho	Thickness
glass_001	860.0	0.82	0.65	1.1	2500.0	0.005
air_001	1005.0	0.0	0.0	0.026	1.18	0.014
glass_001	860.0	0.82	0.65	1.1	2500.0	0.005

Layer Information Table

Layers for construction_001
Name	c	epsLw	epsSw	k	rho	Thickness
material_001	900.0	0.85	0.85	0.045	2100.0	0.12
material_002	950.0	0.85	0.85	0.04	1950.0	0.08
material_003	920.0	0.85	0.85	0.038	2050.0	0.1